Job Description
The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require. Job Category Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services) Job Subcategory Security Guards Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Security Guard, job grade S2, on a fixed term contract of one (1) year.
This role is open to both male and female candidates. This position is full-time, based on 48 hours per week (8 hours per day, 6 days a week) and will involving working on shifts.
The jobholder will work as part of an established and capable team to ensure the safety and security of staff and families at the Embassy while working in a shift rotation pattern. You must have strong communication skills and the ability to give clear and concise advice on a range of security topics, corresponding to your position and as per policy and procedure.
Duties and responsibilities:
You will carry out security duties at the British Embassy compound in Riyadh, working as a team member on a 24/7 shift rotation. Duties include:
• Working as part of a team on a shift roster. Conducting security checks, including physical searches of personnel and vehicles, monitoring of CCTV, operating UHF radio network, responding to alarms, and patrolling on foot as directed by the Post Security Manager (PSM) and Regional Overseas Security Manager (ROSM).
• Dealing with staff, visitors, and members of the public in a professional and courteous manner.
• Scanning and sorting of incoming mail and deliveries.
• Maintaining various records and security logs.
• Acting as first point of contact outside office hours, responding to requests for assistance from Embassy staff and advising any visitors or telephone callers of the regular working hours and details of the official website.
• Reacting to incidents and issues in a calm and disciplined manner and working as part of a team, including participating in exercises and learning and development activities to understand policy and procedures.
The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis affecting UK citizens.
Key behaviours required:
• Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Changing and Improving - Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.
• Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
• Previous security experience, such as in uniformed services (police, military), commercial security or diplomatic security, or a customer focussed industry background with checkable references, ideally for at least (2) years.
• Proficiency in English and Arabic, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly.
• Knowledge of physical security barriers, policy and procedures.
• Able to do shift work.
• Team player who is also capable of working on their own initiative.
• Strong customer focus and ability to deliver quality service.
• Courtesy and consideration in dealing with staff and other customers. Able to present a professional image of self and the Embassy.
• Good organisational skills and flexibility to manage and prioritise tasks.
• Good IT and computer skills. Proficiency in using MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
• Knowledge of industry standard security policies and procedures.
Required behaviours Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service Application deadline 31 May 2026 Grade S2 Type of Position Full-time, Fixed Term Working hours per week 48 Duration of Post 12 months Region Middle East & North Africa Country/Territory Saudi Arabia Location (City) Riyadh Type of Post British Embassy Number of vacancies 1 Salary Currency SAR Salary 6,134.00 Type of Salary monthly Start Date 26 July 2026 Other benefits and conditions of employment
Eligibility:
The position is available to Saudi nationals and to current holders of valid Saudi residence permits or transferable iqama. The successful candidate will be required to transfer their sponsorship to the British Embassy.
Working hours and remuneration:
The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role.
Monthly salary details:
• Base Salary - SAR 4,507.00
• Housing Allowance - SAR 1,127.00 (subject to eligibility)*
• Travel Allowance - SAR 500 (subject to eligibility)*
• Total - SAR 6,134.00
• Allowances are not payable to staff who receive official provision for such expenditure in some other form. Spouses/ Dependents of UKBS officers working at the Embassy are not eligible to Housing or Travel Allowance.
No accommodation nor relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.
This position is for a fixed term contract for one (1) year, with possibility of renewal. The British Embassy Riyadh employs Country Based Staff in line with Saudi Labour Law.
This position is full-time, based on 48 hours per week (8 hours per day, 6 days a week) and will involve working on shifts (specific hours to be on a rota basis).
The successful candidate will be subject to a 90-day probationary period.
The successful candidate will be required to transfer their iqama under the Embassy's sponsorship.